Month: January 2016

Newcastle Theatre Royal’s current pantomime Dick Whittington has set a new record as the highest grossing panto in Theatre Royal history, with record takings at the Box Office.

Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, the show features panto legends Danny Adams, CliveWebb and Chris Hayward, who have delighted Newcastle audiences for over a decade and broken box office records year on year. This panto season they have been joined by award-winning soap star Charlie Hardwick.

Dick Whittington went on sale in November 2014 and by the end of December 2014 had sold over 40,000 tickets.  By February 2015 it had taken over £1million at the Box Office, and sold over 80,000 seats ahead of opening night on 24 November.

The Theatre’s 2016/17 blockbuster panto Cinderella went on sale last November, and has set a new record with 47,000 tickets now sold 10 months ahead of its opening night, 7,000 more than Dick Whittington at the same time last year. Cinderella is also on target to take £1 million at the Box Office before Dick Whittington ends this weekend – a new Theatre Royal record!

Theatre Royal pantomimes are widely thought to be among the fastest-selling in the UK, due to the winning combination of father and son team Clive and Danny and their hilarious slapstick routines, the special effects provided by The Twins FX alongside spectacular sets, chroeography and the sensational musical scores.  This combination is brought together by Newcastle’s own Michael Harrison, who co-writes, produces and directs the show.

Dick Whittington is also panto on a huge scale – the set was transported in five trucks and it took six wardrobes and nine costume skips to transport all 200 costumes and 100 pairs of shoes from Qdos Entertainment’s workshop in Scarborough. By the end of the run, the cast will have thrown 3,276 litres of water over themselves and the audience, and Dame Chris Hayward will have changed outfits 1,000 times!

Theatre Royal Chief Executive Philip Bernays said: “We are delighted with the success of Dick Whittington, which has proved to be another hit show.  We are lucky in having a superb producer in Michael Harrison, one of the biggest movers and shakers in the West End right now, and also an incredible cast and behind-the-scenes team.  Now with Cinderella well ahead of target too, we couldn’t be more proud of our panto team.  Not forgetting a big thank you to our loyal and supportive audiences who return year on year – we wouldn’t be where we are without you!”

Cinderella opens at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Tuesday 22 November 2016, running until Sunday 15 January 2017.  Tickets are selling very fast and early booking is advisable.  Dick Whittington appears until Sunday 17 January 2016, with last few tickets remaining and best availability on 15 and 16 at 7pm and 17 at 1pm. Tickets for both shows are available from £12.50 and can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details).

The Lab Collective presents:

FINAL NAMES ANNOUNCED FOR

SEASONS OF LARSON

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JONATHAN LARSON

MONDAY 25 JANUARY 2016

THE LYRIC THEATRE, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE

Final names are announced today for Seasons of Larson, a one-off concert celebrating the life and music of legendary Broadway composer Jonathan Larson. The concert will take place on Monday 25 January 2016 at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.

Joining the line-up are Anton Stephans and Noel Sullivan.

Anton Stephans most recently graced the nation’s screens as a contestant on The X Factor, mentored by Simon Cowell and finishing in 6^th place. Anton will also feature in the X Factor 2016 Live Tour.Anton’s theatre work spans the West End and Broadway, with credits including Porgy in Trevor Nunn’s production of Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre), Poppa in the first UK Tour of Starlight Express,Sweeney Todd (Chichester Festival Theatre), Smokey Joe’s Café (Broadway), Hey Mr Producer(Lyceum Theatre) and Show Boat (Royal Albert Hall).

Noel Sullivan’s many theatre credits include Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (UK Tour), Drew in Rock of Ages (UK Tour), Tick in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (UK Tour), Galileo in We Will Rock You (UK Tour) and Danny Zuko in Grease (Piccadilly Theatre). Noel was also a member of British pop group Hear’say, after appearing on ITV’s flagship talent show Popstars.

They join the previously announced Debbie Kurup, Krysten Cummings and Damien Flood, all previous cast members of Larson’s hit rock musical Rent.

Debbie Kurup played Mimi in Rent, both in the West End and on tour. More recent theatre credits include Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at Sheffield Crucible, Nicki Marron in The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for her performance, and Velmi Kelly in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre.

Krysten Cummings played Mimi in Rent on Broadway, and originated the role in the Canadian and West End productions. Krysten was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in London.

Damien Flood played Roger in Rent, both in the West End and on tour. Damien’s professional singing career has included working with artists including Tom Jones and Professor Green. He has performed in concert at The Royal Albert Hall, and regularly performs at legendary jazz venue The 606 Club. As a singer-songwriter, Damien has released his debut album Lucky 7.

On 25 January 1996, the day of the first preview of RENT Off-Broadway, its composer Jonathan Larson died unexpectedly at the age of 35. Tragically he would never live to see the impact his work would have, not only on the face of musical theatre but also on a generation of young artists and performers. Nor would he get to hold the numerous awards he posthumously received. 20 years to the day,Seasons of Larson will explore how Larson become a voice for a new generation on the stage, and celebrate his musical legacy that continues to resonate with people all over the world.

Jonathan Larson is best known for his rock musical RENT, for which he posthumously received the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical. RENT played on Broadway for 12 years, making it the 10^th longest running show in Broadway history, and has since received productions all over the world. His earlier works include Superbia and tick, tick… BOOM!.

The cast will perform some of Larson’s most iconic songs and uncover some of his lesser known earlier work, as well as reflecting on how he has influenced them and their careers.

Seasons of Larson will be directed by Grant Murphy (Associate Director, Saturday Night Fever UK Tour) with musical direction by Gareth Bretherton, musical supervision by Anthony Gabriele, design by Adrian Gee, lighting design by Andrew Ellis and sound design by Andrew Johnson. Seasons of Larson is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Guy James, whose recent productions include Tommy (Greenwich Theatre), Jerry’s Girls (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Marry Me a Little (St. James Studio).

www.seasonsoflarson.com

@SeasonsOfLarson

Full casting has been announce for David Ireland’s new play Cyprus Avenue, which will receive its London premiere at the Royal Court in April.

Directed by Royal Court artistic director Vicky Featherstone, the cast includes Ashes to Ashes and Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me actor Stephen Rea, Chris Corrigan (Re-Energize, The Titanic Boys), Julia Dearden (Electra, The Homeplace), Amy Molloy (Teaset, Let Me Count the Ways) and Wunmi Mosaku (Tiger Country, Mr Burns).

Ireland’s play follows Belfast Loyalist Eric Miller as he struggles to get over the past and accept the future. The production will premiere at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin on 11 February before transferring to the Royal Court.

Cyprus Avenue will run at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court from 7 April to 7 May

A new musical production written by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, executive producers of the ever popular US sitcom Friends, will tour the UK next month.

Rapunzel, produced by Immersion Theatre, will receive its UK premiere from February and features music by Michael Skloff who penned the sitcom’s theme song “I’ll Be There For You”.

The tour kicks off in Cirencester on 7 February, before heading to Greenwich Theatre as part of its half term programme.

Rapunzel will also visit Shrewsbury, Bury St. Edmunds, Henley-on-Thames, Tiverton, Evesham, Chesham, Cardiff, Dorset, Rutland, Didcot, Oswaldtwistle, Pitlochry, Dunfermline, Epsom, Loughborough, Kettering, Cromer, Maidstone, Barking, Harrow, Stamford, Abertillery, Swindon, Knowsley, Clacton-on-Sea, Stourport and Taunton before finishing the tour in Camberley on 17 April.

The half term programme at Greenwich will also see the return of award-winning theatre company Tortoise in a Nutshell who present The Lost Things, and an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling by Thingumajig Theatre.

Further casting has been announced for the RSC’s productions of Cymbeline and King Lear.

Gillian Bevan, known for Channel 4’s comedy Teachers will play the British ruler Cymbeline. Bevan will be the first woman to play the role for the RSC. Melly Still’s production will see many of Cymbeline’s male characters played by women.

As well as Bevan, Doreene Blackstock will play Cornelius, Natalie Simpson will play Guiderius and Kelly Williams will play Pisanio.

Bethan Cullinane will play Innogen and Hiran Abeysekera will play Posthumus. Oliver Johnstone will play Iachimo.

As well as Cymbeline, cast joining Antony Sher in King Lear have also been announced. David Toughton will play Gloucester. Natalie Simpson – who played Juliet in the Young Vic’s recent Measure for Measure – will make her RSC debut as Cordelia. Antony Byrne and Nia Gwynne will play Kent and Goneril.

Paapa Essiedu, who will play Hamlet for the RSC earlier in the year, will also star inKing Lear as Edmund.

Cymbeline runs from 29 April to 12 August. King Lear runs from 20 August to 15 October.

Celebrate the best new theatre from the North East
and beyond in an unmissable weeklong event
at Live Theatre

Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 February 2016
Live Lab Elevator
Presented as part of Live Theatre’s Live Lab programme

From Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 February celebrate the best new theatre from the North East and beyond with Live Lab Elevator an unmissable weeklong event at Live Theatre.

Specially curated to bring you the most exciting voices from the theatre world, four original productions are put alongside a host of events including workshops, discussions and the 2016 Live Lab Launch Party.

As Live Theatre’s Creative Producer Graeme Thompson explains:

‘This new Live Lab event is an opportunity to platform new theatre and engage with artists on a much larger scale then we have before. As part of Elevator we are presenting four outstanding must see productions alongside discussions and workshops hosted by leading UK industry professionals. We hope this will become an annual destination event shining a light on the fantastic work being created within this region and beyond.’

On Wednesday 10 and Friday 12 February a Double Bill of plays will be presented in Live Theatre’s Main Theatre. TheDouble Bill includes the return of Live Lab’s 2015 sell out show Red is the New Blue created by Live Lab Associate Artists Rowan McCabe, Matt Miller and Matilda Neill.

Set in 2029 Red is the New Blue follows the antics of three ordinary people who are sent to Mars for a reality TV show like no other. Alone and abandoned in space it doesn’t take long before the cracks begin to show as the crew become more isolated than anyone ever has before. This revised version of the show includes new film, music, spoken word and a bold new set created by local set designer Luke W. Robson.

The Double Bill also features a heart-achingly funny one woman show by Jenny Lee about the inescapable role technology plays in our lives called Heartbeats and Algorithms. This timely show was a hit at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe and explores the seductive and inescapable world of information and the impact computers have on people’s lives. Jenny is also currently a member of Live Theatre’s online playwriting course www.beaplaywright.com.

On Thursday 11 February a Work-In-Progress Double Bill of fanSHEN’s new show Lists for the End of the World and Amy Golding’s latest show preggers will be presented in Live Theatre’s Main Theatre.

Remade for each location List for the End of the World explores what lives look like when they are broken down into lists. Using material contributed by people who live locally, Lists… is a show in which the ordinary and the extraordinary, the profound and the ridiculous sit playfully side by side. fanSHEN were the winners of the Live Lab and The Empty Space Bursary in 2015.

As fanSHEN’s Creative Director Rachel Briscoe explains:

‘Lists for the End of the World will be a show entirely made up of anonymously      sourced lists, offering audiences a sideways perspective on how we choose to live and what’s important. Within it (we hope!) the ordinary and the extraordinary, the profound and the ridiculous will sit playfully side by side. We’re remaking the show for each new location using material contributed by people who live locally… so we’re making a bespoke version for Live Lab Elevator with lists that we’ll source in Newcastle.’

On the same evening as Lists… a work-in-progress of Amy Golding’s latest show preggers will be presented. Written and performed by Amy, and directed by Laura Lindow and Rachel Glover, preggers is about what it means to become a mother now and what it meant for women of previous generations. Playful and political, the show explores the central and universal themes of motherhood and family.

In addition to the double bills there are a whole host of additional events and workshops curated as part of Live Lab Elevator. fanSHEN are kicking things off on Tuesday 9 February at 2pm with a Devised Theatre Workshop in which they will explore the different processes of creating devised theatre with participants. The workshop is free and is suitable for budding theatre makers and professionals (14+).

Also on Tuesday 9 February is a free Playwriting in the North panel discussion, hosted by Live Theatre’s Literary ManagerGez Casey, in the Main Theatre at 7.30pm. Participants will join a panel of industry professional from across the North as they discuss the opportunities for writers in the North and the best way for playwrights to get their work recognised. The panel includes Laura Lomas (who is currently the Channel 4 Playwright in Residence at Clean Break Theatre Company), playwright and Game of Thrones actor Luke Barnes (who wrote Beats North in 2013 for Newcastle based theatre company Curious Monkey), Alex Chisholm (Co-Artistic Director of Freedom Studios in Bradford and former Literary Manager at West Yorkshire Playhouse) and writer, director and dramaturg Janys Chambers (Literary Associate at Bolton Octagon).

From 1pm on Saturday 13 February two of the UK’s leading theatre directors, Rachel O’Riorden (Artistic Director of the Sherman Theatre) and Joe Murphy (who directed Live Theatre’s 2014 production of Incognito and who is the Artistic Director of nabokov), present a Director’s Masterclass for budding theatre directors. In this session participants will explore how a director works with text, forms ideas and translates those concepts onto the stage. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the secrets of bringing new plays to life. Rachel and Joe will be joined later by Live Theatre’s Artistic Director Max Roberts in a question and answer session about their work processes.

To celebrate Live Lab Elevator and the 2016 Live Lab programme the week will culminate with the Live Lab 2016 Launch Partyon Saturday 13 February at 7.30pm. The event will include bite-sized performances and the announcement of the next Live Lab Associate Artists. Plus, details about the Live Lab 2016 Bursary will be shared. It will be a chance for writers, theatre makers and audiences to informally share ideas about Live Lab and theatre in the North East. It will be followed by a lively party in Live Theatre’s Atrium Bar and Undercroft. Be the first to see this brand new work and be part of the conversation that shapes its future.

Tickets for Live Lab Elevator cost £10 – £8 full price or £10-£6 for concessions. To book tickets and to find out more visit www.live.org.uk or contact Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232.

Northern Broadsides at its comedy best

Director Barrie Rutter
Designer Lis Evans
Lighting Designer Adam Foley
Musical Director Conrad Nelson

In fact, to describe The Merry Wives as ‘funny’ would be a massive understatement, even for a Yorkshire-man.

Set in the 1920s and relocated to a posh Yorkshire country club, this ‘Merry Wives’
boasts a distinctively sporting theme – where the ‘anyone for tennis’ and ‘jolly hockey sticks’ toffs prance around pretentiously whilst the wily ladies-who-lunch exact a spirited revenge on the lascivious and not-upwardly-mobile Falstaff (played, with relish, by Barrie Rutter).

Book your tickets now to enjoy Broadsides’ latest production of The Merry Wives, performed , and directed by the inimitable Barrie Rutter and supported by a large and spirited cast of fifteen actors.

The Merry Wives  is a co-production with the New Vic and opens at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 5^th February and tours the UK until 28^th May.

We look forward to welcoming you at one of the twelve venues on our spring tour.

Following rave reviews for its previous run at several London venues in November and December 2015, The Princess Monologues are coming for one-night-only to The Hen & Chickens Theatre on 22nd January 2016:

Goblin Baby Theatre Co. presents

The Princess Monologues

What does it even mean to be a Princess in the 21st Century?

Directed by Tessa Hart – Performed by Eleanor Dillon-Reams

​Featuring monologues by Claire Booker, Amy Bethan Evans, Tessa Hart, Simon Jay, Tina Jay, Tilly Lunken & Eliza Power

Assistant Director: Grace Taylor – Supporting Designer: Alisa James

Friday 22nd January at 7.30pm at The Hen in Chickens Theatre

109 St Paul’s Road, N1 2NA, Islington, London

For centuries we’ve been obsessed with the concept of being a ‘Princess’ whilst teaching generations of young girls that they should aspire to become one. The Princess Monologues question what it actually means to be a ‘Princess’ in the 21st century and whether it is really that desirable… ​

★★★★★ ‘A must-see for everyone!’ – 5 stars, RemoteGoat
‘brave and relevant theatre’ – London Pub Theatres
“This show deserves to go far.’ – Angela Clarke
★★★★ ‘a rewarding experience’ – 4 stars, LondonTheatre1
★★★★ ‘a fantastic show’ – 4 stars Female Arts

#Shame by Eliza Power

Gretchen is 27 today. Exactly one day too old to be a Disneyland Princess. As career wilderness approaches, she must finally drop her glittery guise and confront the past she’s been hiding from.

Princess Frankenstein by Claire Booker

Medical student, Frankie, is a genius in the lab, but her love life stinks. Then she gets the Big Idea. Can she surgically create the perfect man?

Hail Your Majesty by Tessa Hart

A real-life Princess. In the 21st Century. Born into one of the richest Royal Families in the World. She has it ‘all’… Except her own voice.

Just a Girl by Tina Jay

Sarina isn’t a real princess – she never wanted to be – but given titles are hard to escape from. As are the towers of imprisonment that an unwanted label can bring.

Dynamite II by Tilly Lunken

Diana Might didn’t make it to her last performance and so it’s left to her sister Emma to share what she wrote.

Home Made Princess by Simon Jay

A Princess’ life is laid out for her – It can be a curse for some but for others it can be a liberation; for this Princess it’s her only escape from a grim reality.

Mr Andersen’s Princess by Amy Bethan Evans

Princess Alexandra of Denmark was Princess of Wales for many years and as a child was told the original story of the princess of the sea; a tale that may not be as absurd to her as she claims…..

Tickets: £9

www.goblinbaby.com/princess

www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/the-princess-monologues

Shakespeare Peckham presents: